Can you get unemployment when you retire from your job in NY?
I'm 62 and thinking about retiring from my job next year but I'm worried about health insurance and covering expenses until I can claim Social Security at 67. A coworker mentioned that some people can get unemployment benefits after retiring but I thought that was only for people who get laid off or fired. Does anyone know if you can actually file for NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits when you voluntarily retire? I've been working at the same company for 18 years and paying into the system so I'm hoping there might be some options.
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NebulaNinja
Unfortunately, you typically cannot receive unemployment benefits if you voluntarily retire. NYS Department of Labor requires that you be unemployed through no fault of your own and be able and available to work. When you retire, you're essentially removing yourself from the workforce voluntarily, which disqualifies you from UI benefits. The system is designed for people who lose their jobs involuntarily and are actively seeking new employment.
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Zara Mirza
•That's what I was afraid of. So there's really no way around this rule? Even if I've been paying into unemployment insurance for decades?
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Luca Russo
yeah my dad tried this when he retired at 60 and they denied his claim right away. he had to go back to work part time just to make ends meet until his pension kicked in
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Nia Wilson
There might be one exception though - if your employer forces you into early retirement or makes your working conditions so difficult that you have no choice but to leave, you could potentially argue constructive dismissal. But you'd need strong documentation and it would likely require an appeal process through NYS Department of Labor. It's not easy to prove and most voluntary retirements don't qualify.
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Mateo Sanchez
•This is interesting - what kind of documentation would you need for something like that? I'm dealing with a similar situation where they're basically pushing out older workers.
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Aisha Mahmood
Have you looked into COBRA for health insurance coverage? It's expensive but might bridge the gap until Medicare kicks in. Also check if your company offers any early retirement packages that include extended health benefits. Sometimes those packages are better than trying to navigate the unemployment system.
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Ethan Clark
I had a nightmare trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my eligibility after a layoff. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.
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Zara Mirza
•Thanks, I'll definitely look into that if I need to speak with someone directly about my options.
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AstroAce
The whole unemployment system is so confusing! Why can't they just have clear guidelines posted somewhere? I'm in a similar boat trying to figure out if I can retire early without losing everything.
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